Christopher Newport

[Anonymous]

DC is finishing 10th so we’re just starting the process and have a very broad initial list, and I’m helping DC by putting in some basic stats about schools into their tracking spreadsheet. DC has great stats so far but we will need in-state (VA) or merit, so for now we’ve got several mid-tier VA publics on the list including Christopher Newport. I was looking up CNU’s CDS and I’m puzzled.

CNU says it is test optional ONLY IF applicants have a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 (so unweighted) scale or are top 10% of their class, but also say less than 45% of applicants submit test scores. Is CNU really pulling so many students above UW GPA of 3.5/4.0 who don’t need to submit (and that’s not considering that some folks who submit might not need to)? And on top of all that, the 75%ile test scores are only SAT 1290/ACT 29. I guess if weaker students (in terms of GPA) are the ones required to submit test scores, that would likely pull the averages down. But I just didn’t think of CNU as being the kind of school that would be swimming in top students for more than half their applicants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is finishing 10th so we’re just starting the process and have a very broad initial list, and I’m helping DC by putting in some basic stats about schools into their tracking spreadsheet. DC has great stats so far but we will need in-state (VA) or merit, so for now we’ve got several mid-tier VA publics on the list including Christopher Newport. I was looking up CNU’s CDS and I’m puzzled.

CNU says it is test optional ONLY IF applicants have a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 (so unweighted) scale or are top 10% of their class, but also say less than 45% of applicants submit test scores. Is CNU really pulling so many students above UW GPA of 3.5/4.0 who don’t need to submit (and that’s not considering that some folks who submit might not need to)? And on top of all that, the 75%ile test scores are only SAT 1290/ACT 29. I guess if weaker students (in terms of GPA) are the ones required to submit test scores, that would likely pull the averages down. But I just didn’t think of CNU as being the kind of school that would be swimming in top students for more than half their applicants.

Not real sure how we would know any answers to this.

[Anonymous]

Those SAT scores are of incoming freshmen, I think, so of students who actually accepted the admission offer and decided to go there? Since many students could be applying to CNU as a safety but not ultimately go there, applicant stats would be expected to be higher than attending student stats.

[Anonymous]

CNU is starting to pull stronger applicants as the other VA schools become further out of reach for NOVA kids. VT, UVA, W&M and even mid-JMU are attracting stronger candidates.

[Anonymous]

I’m believe that the 3.5 can be weighted if that’s what the HS reports. The grade scale doesn’t change because weighting is added…FCPS HSs weight and seniors are told by the Counseling Office to indicate on the Common App that a 4.0 scale is used.

But this would be a question your student could/should ask their AO at CNU to be sure.

[Anonymous]

It wouldn’t surprise me if a lot of 3.5+ students are applying to CNU. According to SCHEV, the median GPA for incoming freshman is 3.75.

[Anonymous]

3.5 is not a very high GPA at NOVA HSs. DD was 3.7UW/4.0W. About a third of the class had a weighted 4.0+.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:3.5 is not a very high GPA at NOVA HSs. DD was 3.7UW/4.0W. About a third of the class had a weighted 4.0+.

They can apply elsewhere and have success.

[Anonymous]

CNU has been TO for many years for all GPAs, even before Covid. You might be mixing up the honors application which requires tests or a higher GPA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CNU has been TO for many years for all GPAs, even before Covid. You might be mixing up the honors application which requires tests or a higher GPA.

I was reading what was entered in the CDS, so maybe I (or they) mixed something up. I’ll look at the actual admissions page, thanks.

[Anonymous]

They are giving good money to top students. I know very smart high achievers who went to CNU. The size was right, good food, pretty campus, and cheerful vibe. Their families didn’t have much money for college so when the choice was between W&M at full pay and terrible food and dorms or CNU at a very low price with a lovely campus and yummy food they chose CNU. Also, all the grads I know are working in their fields right away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are giving good money to top students. I know very smart high achievers who went to CNU. The size was right, good food, pretty campus, and cheerful vibe. Their families didn’t have much money for college so when the choice was between W&M at full pay and terrible food and dorms or CNU at a very low price with a lovely campus and yummy food they chose CNU. Also, all the grads I know are working in their fields right away.

Difference in quality too large to be swayed by dorms and food, IMO, but good for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are giving good money to top students. I know very smart high achievers who went to CNU. The size was right, good food, pretty campus, and cheerful vibe. Their families didn’t have much money for college so when the choice was between W&M at full pay and terrible food and dorms or CNU at a very low price with a lovely campus and yummy food they chose CNU. Also, all the grads I know are working in their fields right away.

If CNU is giving money it will be much cheaper than full pay at WM.

[Anonymous]

My kid has had a good experience at Cnu. Sorority, sports, good internship, study abroad.

[Anonymous]

How big is Greek life? DD isn’t interested in sororities. Would she have no friends? She’s not a big partier, and would be looking to things like performing arts (theatre, singing) as extra curriculars to get involved in.